IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


I 


/ 


c? 


{/ 


■  s 


1.0     "^^  lii 

u    ttt 

11.1  J.-^la 

|y5|U|M 


'-^^ 


^ 


SdHioes 
Corporatjicsi 


^4s 


^^-t 


23  WMT  f  UUN  STMn 
V.:Tr.?lit,N.Y.  14SM 


CIHM/ICMK 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHIVI/ICIVIH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microroproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  da  microraproductions  liistoriquas 


Tachnicai  and  Bibliographic  Notaa/Notaa  tachniquaa  at  bibiiographlqiiaa 


Til 
to 


Tha  Instituta  haa  attamptad  to  obtain  tha  baat 
original  copy  availabia  for  filming.  Faaturaa  of  thia 
copy  wl^ioh  may  ba  Mbliographioaiiy  uniqua. 
which  may  altar  any  of  tha  Imagaa  in  tha 
raproduetion,  or  which  may  aigniflcantly  changa 
tha  uauai  mathod  of  filming,  ara  chaclcad  balow. 


D 
D 
□ 
D 
D 
D 
D 
D 
D 

D 


D 


Colourad  covars/ 
Couvartura  da  coulaur 

Covara  daniagad/ 
Couvartura  andommagAa 

Covara  raatorad  and/o:  laminatad/ 
Couvartura  raataurAa  at/ou  paliiculAa 

Covar  titia  miaaing/ 

La  titra  da  couvartura  manqua 

Colourad  maps/ 

Cartaa  giographiquas  an  coulaur 

Colourad  Ink  (l.a.  othar  than  blua  or  black)/ 
Encra  da  coulaur  (l.a.  autra  qua  biaua  ou  noira) 

Colourad  plataa  and/or  iiluatratlona/ 
Planchaa  at/ou  iiluatratlons  an  coulaur 

Bound  with  othar  matarial/ 
Raii4  avac  d'autraa  documanta 

Tight  binding  may  cauaa  shadowa  or  diatortion 
along  intarior  margin/ 

La  r9  liura  sarrte  paut  cauaar  da  I'ombra  ou  da  la 
diatortion  la  long  da  la  marga  intirlaura 

Blank  laavaa  addad  during  rastoration  may 
appaar  within  tha  taxt.  Whanavar  poaaibia.  thaaa 
hava  baan  omittad  from  filming/ 
II  aa  paut  qua  cartainae  pagaa  Uanchaa  aJoutAaa 
lora  d'una  rastauration  apparaiaaant  dana  la  taxta, 
mala,  lorsqua  cala  Atalt  poaaibia,  cas  pagaa  n'ont 
paa  4t«  filmtea. 

Additicnal  commanta:/ 
Commantairaa  aupplimantairaa: 


L'Inatltut  a  microflimi  la  maillaur  axamolaira 
qu'il  lul  a  4t*  poaaibia  da  sa  proourar.  Laa  dAtaila 
da  cat  axamplaira  qui  aont  paut-4tra  uniquaa  du 
point  da  vua  bibliographiqua,  qui  pauvant  modiflar 
una  imaga  raproduita,  ou  qui  pauvant  axlgar  una 
modification  dana  la  mithoda  normala  da  fiimaga 
6ont  indiqute  ci-daaaoua. 


D 
D 
D 
0 
D 
0 
D 
D 

n 


Colourad  pagaa/ 
Pagaa  da  couhiur 

Pagaa  damagad/ 
Pagaa  andommagiaa 

Pagaa  raatorad  and/or  laminatad/ 
Pagaa  raatauriaa  at/ou  pallicul4aa 

Pagaa  diacolourad,  atainad  or  foxad/ 
Pagaa  dAcoloriaa,  tiichat^aa  ou  piquiaa 

Pagaa  datachad/ 
Pagaa  ditachtea 

Showthrough/ 
Tranaparanca 

Quality  of  print  variaa/ 
QualM  inigala  da  i'impraaalon 

Inciudaa  aupplamantary  matarial/ 
Comprand  du  matiriai  auppMmantaira 

Only  adMon  avaitabia/ 
Saula  MMon  diaponibia 

Pagaa  wholly  or  partially  obacurad  by  arrata 
silpa,  tiaauaa,  ate.,  hava  l>aan  raftlmad  to 
anaura  tha  baat  poaaibia  imaga/ 
Laa  pagaa  totalamant  ou  partiallamant 
obacurdaa  par  un  fauillat  d'arrata,  una  palura, 
ate,  ont  4tU  fllmAaa  A  nouvaau  da  fa9on  i 
obtanir  la  maUlaura  Imaga  poaaibia. 


Th 
po 
of 
fill 


O^ 
ba 
thi 
sic 
oti 
fin 
sic 
or 


Th 
shi 
Til 
w» 

Ml 
dif 
an^ 
bai 
rig 

fBt 

m« 


TMa  itam  ia  filmad  at  tha  raduction  ratio  chackad  balow/ 

Ca  documant  aat  flimA  au  taux  da  rMuetton  indiqu4  ci-daaaoua. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

2SX 

30X 

^ 

12X 

- 

lex 

aox 

24X 

aix 

n 

azx 


Th«  oopy  ftlmad  hw  hM  lM«n  r«produo«d  thanks 
to  th«  gantrosity  of: 

Library  of  tha  Public 
Archlvaa  of  Canada 


L'axamplaira  f  iinti  f  ut  raproduit  grica  i  la 
g4nAroaitA  da: 

La  bibliothAqua  dat  Archivat 
publlquaa  du  Canada 


Tha  Imagaa  appaaring  hara  ara  tha  baat  quality 
poasibia  conaidaring  tha  condition  and  lagibiiity 
of  tha  original  copy  and  in  Icaaping  with  tha 
filming  contract  spaclflcationa. 


Original  copiaa  in  printad  papar  covers  ara  fllmad 
beginning  with  tha  front  covar  t  id  anding  on 
tha  laat  paga  with  a  printad  or  iliuatratad  impras- 
sion,  or  tha  back  covar  whan  approprfata.  All 
othar  original  copies  ara  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  imprea- 
sion,  and  ending  on  the  laat  page  with  a  printad 
or  illustratfid  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  eech  microfiche 
shell  contain  the  symbol  -'^>  (meening  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  y  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Lee  images  suiventes  ont  4t4  reproduites  avac  la 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  at 
de  la  netteti  de  rexemplaire  film*,  et  en 
conformity  evec  lea  conditions  du  contrat  da 
filmage. 

• 

Lea  exempleires  originaux  dont  la  couvertura  en 
pepiar  est  imprimte  sent  filmAs  en  commenpant 
par  la  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
darnlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  ampreinte 
d'impreaaion  ou  d'illustration.  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  aelon  le  cas.  Tous  las  autres  exempleires 
originaux  sent  filmis  en  commenpant  par  la 
pramiAre  page  qui  comporte  une  ampreinte 
d'impreaaion  ou  d'illustration  et  en  teiminant  par 
la  darnlAre  page  qui  compoite  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  dee  symboles  suivants  apparattra  sur  la 
dernlAre  image  de  cheque  micrufiche,  selon  le 
ces:  le  symbols  — ►  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  la 
symbols  ▼  signifie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  lerge  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  kift  hand  comer,  left  to 
right  end  top  to  bottom,  es  many  framea  aa 
required.  The  following  diegrams  illuatrate  the 
method: 


Lea  certes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  pauvent  Atra 
filiiiAa  A  das  taux  da  rMuction  diffArants. 
Loraqua  la  document  est  trop  grand  pour  itra 
reproduit  en  un  aeul  clichA,  11  est  fiimA  it  partir 
de  I'angle  sup4rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  h  droit*, 
et  de  haut  en  Ims,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'imagea  nAcessaire.  Las  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mAthode. 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

k 


■/ 


m 


g— itMW  miiiwwii  rM«Miii>iBnaiiJ<iiiiiiii»ii»niii 


■xifii  Will II  IK  ■!»  urn-' 


w  aii-i 


AND   GUIDE 

Being  a  complete  Directory  and  Guide  to  the  Falls  and  vicinity. 

•  '  ■    ' ■     ■'  — ^  -S  — 

DlllECTrONS  TO  ilAgTY  'I 

Ist.     Start  from  the  Hotels  in  Mnin.strcct,  Niniffirn  Fnlla  Villngc  —  no  wost  to  Prospect  Placo  ni 

gaze!  —  cross ihe  bridge  to  Iris  Island  —  rise  the  hill  —  fake  the  road  to  the  right  —  at  llupint  of  ll 

thence  to  the  Falls,  and  round  the  Island. 

yd.     At  nioie  If.'isuro  walk  n'ong  the  hif^h  bank  of  the  rivor,  or  ride  tc  the  Whirlpool,  nnd  \h\\ 


lEFERENCES  TO  THE  MAP. 


On  the  American  Side. 

A— *-'atiir.nct  Hotel. 
|B— Englc  Hotel. 
C—niiI<!t'H  Hotel,  and  Whirl- 
]tnoI  Oiniilhus  OlIii!C. 
jD— I'ost  Oflice.  . 
|]^-Katlibun's  Itirgc  foundation. 
I  J* — Lockportand  NiiigHra  Falln 

Rullroad  Otfice 
G— Kuft'iilo  nnd  Niagara  Falls' 

Uiiilroad  Otrmc. 
I  li— Ferry,  and  AVare's  OJjser- 

vatory. 

1 1— Wlicre  Francis  Abbott  lived. 
J— WJjcre  Alexander  went  ofT 
the  bank. 

-•rr      ■ 

t 

K — Proposed  road  down  the  hank. 
Bj— Old  Indian  ladder. 
j\I— Cliapin's  Island. 
Itf— Robinson'.s  Island. 
O— Prospect  Island. 
P  Q— Sloop  nnd  Bay  Islands. 
R— Prospect  Tower  and  Terra- 
pin Rocks. 
S— Koad,  washed  away. 
T— Moss  Island, 
V— Crescent  or  Centre  Fall, under 

which  Is  Ingraham's  Cave, 
Y— I'aper  Mill. 
2— Presbyterian  Church. 


Distances  from  the  Ameri* 
can  Hotels,  U.  S. 

'I'll  It.-Ltliniiil  Iriil'  liriilirf>    111  ruiLi.. 


Q» 


)   GUIDE   TABLE. 

he  Falls  and  vicinity,  for  remark  on  *ho  spot  or  for  reference  at  home, 

JTrONS  TO  IIA8TY  TRAVELLERS. 

o  woBt  to  Prospect  Plac(;  and  Wnro's  Observatory,  gaze  on  the  seme  .'  —  go  out  nlon{r  the  river,  to  the  bridjro, 
lie  right  — «<  flupmt  nftlis  Island  lonk  aroiiiiU ! —  paa^  to  the  Uiddlcsliiirs  —  theiico  to  the  I'roapcct  Tower 

f.U  the  Whirljiou),  nnd  visit  sovcrid  other  noted  pUicos. 


REFERENCES  TO  THE  MAP. 


On  tho  Canada  SIIq. 

I,    llcn.ler'8  Cave. 
!•    Concert  House. 
f'„    Col.  Clark's  olil  |)lacr. 
H»    Where  the  I'plseopal  Cluircli 

tX  )0(l.    llurnt  liy  inceii- 

iliaries,  Sept.  1S39. 
'•),    Gull  kla«ii. 

10,  Site  of  Bridgewater  Villi.fic. 

11,  Chippewa  Battle  Oround. 
"Tadli:  IlocK."     It  projects  over 

several  feet.    Visltors.dc- 
scerid  here  to  go  umfcr  the 
-     •       eiircthf  tratcr,  or  to  «•  hill 
iscallcdTerininati  in  Rock. 

"(!UKT0N  House,"  on  the  brow  of 
the  hill,  where   tikc  road 
rises  from  the  Ferrj-. 
;j,     U'licrc  stood  tlic  Pavillioii. 

12*    Carii;:ge  road  down  tlie  hunli. 

llj,    i'crry  and  Guard  liouse. 


Distances  from  the  Ferry, 


u.c. 

To  Clifton  House. 

10; 

rods. 

••    T;d)!c  IJook, 

i     lU 

"    Duriiing  Sprin 

1      '• 

"    Uender'i  Cave, 

*'    Lull  la's  Lr.n;: 

• 

Baule 

Ground  1 

1      ' 

"    Cliippewa  Hat.  Grouuvi.  1 


wliic.li  ii*  liisraliiii.i'8  Vavv, 
Y— J'ujicr  Mill. 
.j_l«rr.^l)ytorlan  Chorcli. 


DiitancM  from  tho  Ameri- 
can Hotoli,  U.  S. 

To  li.-itii  iukI  Irid  i:  bridge,  lU  roiid. 
"  I'crry, and  Warc'8 Oli- 
ver vntory,                  100  " 
"  Ferry  lamllaf,             ia.»  " 
'•  I  lorsc  Slioc  Fiilld,  cros- 

!<iii',' lirid;'o  uiid  island,    j  ni. 

"  Walk  round  the  ISIM,      If  " 

"  Point  View,  J  " 

"  ."^lincrnl  Spring,  2  " 

"  Wlilrlpnol,  a  •' 

' '  Devll'.^  Hole,  34  " 

"  'I'usearora  Indian 

\  illage,  y  " 

*  liPvvlsfon,  7  " 

'•  Fort  Nii-gnrn,  14  " 

••Lockpt.t,  by  Railroad, 94  " 

''  gicliloBser  Steamboat 

landing  2  " 

•'  Tonuwanda  and  Erie 

Canal  11  " 

"  Uuffaio  City.  22  " 


Tho  Birds-Eye  View 

jVA— City  of  Buffalo. 

5Q_Fort  Erie  and  Waterloo. 
t;^3— Tonawanda  and  Erie  Canal 
Cii— Grand  Island 
DD— Brock's  Monument. 
Iili — Queen  stun . 
pp    Lewislon, 
GG  -Fort  Niagara, 

HH— Fort  George,  and  Niagara. 


T— Horse  Shoe  Fall,  about  700  yards  around,  158  feet  high.  W — American  Fall,  about  320 
Descent  from  Chippewa  and  Schlosser  to  the  Falls,  estimated  at  90  feet.  Ferry  below  the  Falls  i 
is  estimated,  descend  the  Falls  in  24  hours.  From  200  to  250  feet  is  the  average  height  of  the  bank 
to  the  Islands,  passing  «  er  the  rapids,  b — where  Robinson  descended  in  the  rapids,  to  sive  Chnpi; 
7  miles,  to  Lake  Ontario,  Q  feet. 

.    '  ■■■ ;  ':'■  ■    -       -  "'1 


t'lii'idii  llou-f. 

I'll 

riiiN, 

Tahie  llork. 

i    '" 

lliiriiiiii;  rfpriti 

I      '■ 

l>ciiilcr'.4  Ciivc. 

:i  " 

liimlii'.H  Liiu  !  IJnU 

• 

f. 

<  iroiii.il  1 

\    • 

Cliijiiiinva  IJ.'it.  Urouml. 

'i    ■• 

Wliirl|i(>(il. 

1    •• 

ijiaiiif.iril, 

J    " 

-Aloiint  l)oa-liesU!r, 

•i 

S:.  UiivilH, 

(i    " 

Driiok'.s  .>I(imimcir 

u        " 

(^uceiiston, 

I*       ** 

r.)rl   CJeortje    iind 

-Niiignra, 

11    ' 

Sl  CtiUiarinc!', 

li    • 

NVi.ierlod  Ferry, 

11    • 

I'ort  l-rip, 

ID      ' 

(  iy  of  Toronto, 

TiO 

The  WhirlpooL 

lit    Niagiiru  Kivt-r, 
2:2,    I'lncc  to  (lu.-iccml  tiic  luiiik, 
A»    I'rospcct  iioiiit. 
^i'J*    Siiiooth  rock  iVoJii  wliciic  u 
stone    liun    lici'ii    tlirowii 
across  tlic  river. 
41,    i'isliing  gr4)uiiils. 
t!,    Out!ei, 

D,    Uelectory,  Britisli  siJc. 
jS,    Suauiicr  House,  Aiiicriciiii 
side. 


.toi>nIN(;    skorks 


XrM   r/'  UallA  M^on.^,.Btd^altf 


^txierican  Fall,  about  320  yards  around,  164  feet  high.  V_CrosentFall,about33  yards  around,  164  feet h.gh 
FeTbelow  the  Falls  b  56  rods  wide,  passage  from  5  to  10  minutes.     5,084,080.280  barrels  of  water   U 
average  height  of  the  banks  of  the  river,  around  the  Falls,  above  the  surface  of  the  water  below.     a-Bndge 
,  the  rapids,  to  s.ve  Chnpin.    The  riverin  6  miles  from  the  Falls  descends  104^et  to  Lew.ston  ;  from  thence 


1 


>    ' 


•  * 


;^ 


V  H 


f". 


« ( 


V 


;♦* 


I'' 


•inge  mysi'i 
,          yet  to  kno 
I    • 

? 

»*  U  E  S  S 


L  E  (i  y.  N  T) 


V  ;.'    T  If  K 


5  ,m,'.:  .rfT 


V  H  I  R  L  P  00  L. 


i 


I 


ange  inyal'ries  liido  beneath  the  waves,  nnd  mnn, 
yet  to  know  a  thousand  things  thnt  nature  hUlos.'' 


^  .'vWeaiTJ^V -^ 


ALO 


)•  R  E  S  S    O  F    T  H  O  ai  A  S    &,    C  O. 


1840 


.■* 


'  -'-stJ 


r 


I 


t  I, 


V 


\ 


■1 


"'!» 


■1l 


>  I-V  ^'    '\ 


THE  WHIRLPOOL. 


THE    SITUATION    OF    THE    WHIRLPOOL. 

♦•  How  finothing  nre  these  groves,  where  oiiroiner's  warmth 
Relaxes  not,  nor  niid-duy  heat  oppressed  " 

Nearly  mid  way  between  the  Falls  of  Niagara  ond  ths 
Tillage  of  Lewiston,  there  is  a  sudden  turn  in  the  river. 
On  the  American  side  a  point  projects  into  the  stream, 
and  a  deep  indenture  is  worn  into  the  bank  on  the  Cana> 
da  side.  On  the  promontory  facing  the  south  and  west, 
the  basin  of  the  Whirlpool  is  presented ;  and  for  a  long 
distance  above,  the  rough  and  torrent  waters  of  the  river 
are  seen  rushing  forward  with  on  impetuosity  altogether 
irresistible,  and  with  a  loud  and  terrific  noise.  At  the 
Whirlpool  the  river  is  wider  than  at  any  other  place 
within  reach  of  the  eye  ;  but  on  the  side  of  the  point  fa- 
cing the  north  and  west  it  is  narrower.  So  narrow,  that 
it  hns  long  been  considered  the  most  suitable  place  to 
erect  a  suspension  bridge,  anda  stone  has  been  thrown 
from  one  side  to  the  other.      W 

The  banks  of  the  river  are  nere  upwards  of  two  hun- 
dred feet  high  ;  they  are  crowned  with  forest  trees ; 
many  of  which  are  of  large  size,  mingled  with  shrubs  of 
smaller  growth.  Hemlock,  pine,  spruce,  and  other  ev- 
ergreens abound.  With  these  are  intermixed  the  oak, 
birch,  maple,  chestnut,  hickory,  and  all  the  other  trees 
and  shrubs  incident  to  the  country.  Besides  these,  there 
nre  many  plants  ond  flowers  not  often  to  be  found.  On 
that  account,  both  below  and  above  the  bank.  Bo tonis, 
and  others,  who  are  fond  of  strange  and  curious  plants, 


ll 


TJIK   WHIRLPOOL. 


Itunkn  ol'  tlu;  Uivcr— UanKer  of  I'lillitiK  Mckx, 

wiiiider  (iround  with  much  curiosity  and  delight;  and  their 
liiliors  have  in  several  instances  been  rewarded  by  oh- 
tninin^  vahiablu  8p(3ciinen8. 

The  lirut  dcacont  of  tlio  bank  to  the  rivcf  is  n  pcrpeii- 
(lifubir  rock,  avcniging  I'roiii  sixty  to  eighty  fcot,  Ironi 
thence  it  slopes  procipitoucly  to  the  water's  edge.  The 
slope  in  tnadc  t'roiii  tho  loose  rocks  which  have  for  age 
niter  ago  lallen  from  above.  There  ore  some  places  where 
the  rocks  form  a  perpendicular  wall  from  the  water  to  the 
upper  terrncc.  Few  can  look  down  this  dizzy  height 
with  steady  and  unmoved  nerves.  A  weakness  will  im- 
perceptibly come  over  the  frame,  tho  head  will  lose  its 
wonted  firmness,  ond  the  spectator  wiU  bo  warned  by 
his  sensations,  not  to  approach  too  near  the  brink  which 
lies  heforo  him  and  eternity,  Tho  banks  are  not  alone 
ten ifying  ond  dangerous  from  their  perpendicular  alti- 
tude ;  in  many  places  they  project  over,  and  immense 
masses  of  rock  appear  ready  every  moment  to  bo  launch- 
ed from  their  unstable  positions.  On  some,  lorge  rent» 
and  fissures  ore  gaping  wide,  ond  fearfully  portend  evil  to 
those  who  venture  on  or  near  them  ;  ond  others,  tho' 
tho  danger  is  hidden  by  the  sod  ond  moss  that  covorB 
ihem,  yet  they  ore  on  a  poiae  cquolly  insecure. 

"  On  these  projecting;;  recks  the  just  mny  stuoU, 
And  innocence  may  room  beneath ;       '•    V 

Hut  wliere  unpuniahv^d  guilt  unnerves  the  hamU 
Or  tearful  chatters  through  tjie  tcetli— 

Avaunt!  tliou  wretch  !  and  come  not  near, 

For  angry  vengeance  sleepetli  here." 

Thoso  who  go  below,  on  looking  up  will  bo  often  owe 
struck  at  the  dark  wall  that  hangs  loose  and  threatening 
above  thorn.  There,  a  mighty  rock  seemingly  held  to 
tho  bank  by  the  frail  root  of  a  cedar  shrub  ;  ond  scattered 
far,  and  near,  stones  of  all  dimensions,  from  a  pound  to 
a  ton,  ready  on  the  movement  of  a  leaf  or  a  breath  of 
air  to  fall  and  crush  all  beneath. 


thr 


ooci^ 


TnR  wniaLPooL. 


fi 


Tim  iitiMorliiiiK  iiitrrflht  tlint  vlnltorH  fV««l. 


Sui'h  aro  tho  grnrnil  foatiiiefi  oi'iho  Imnks  ol'iho  Mo{(- 
nr»  river  from   Lnwiston  to   tho  Whirlpool,  nnd   from 
thcnco  to  nnd  nroumt  tho   Fulls.     Htill  thoru   nw   .nany 
})lnc(!3  where  no  dnngor  cxiets,  both  ut  tho  Fnlh  :.nd  th» 
Whirlpool  ;  hut  nt  every   point  to  tho  ohscrver,  it  is  nl- 
ways  nour  enough  to  muko  tho  socnu  interesting.     In* 
deed,  in  this,  mninly  consists  the  secret  of  tho  fa^cinntioti 
nnd  charm,  that  so  ottructs  us  to  scones  of  wonder  and 
Huhlimity.     They  bring  forth  unusual  emotions  of   tho 
mind,  and  turn  it  from   its  wonted  chnnnol.     They  ab- 
stract us  from  our  doily  nnd  ordinary  duties,  and  as  in  nv'xu- 
ion,  for  a  period  transport  us  to  a  new  world,  where  fcnr, 
wonder,  courage  nnd  temerity  prevail,  nnd  an  nhBorbinj.j 
interest  controls  our  faculties.     Stupidity   is  aluno  un- 
charmcd.     All  others  feel  the  strange  ond  spiritual  influ- 
enccs.    Tho  savage,  ond  the  enlightened  mind,  unite  ond 
revel  in  the  luxury  of  tho  rich  developoments  of  mighty 
nature.  They  drink  deep  of  tho  spacious  fountain  which 
8)io  silvers  over,  where  the  hanging  leaves  arc  mirrored, 
and  sun  and  shade  aro  reflected  in  mellowed  tints. 

There  are  but  a  few  places  along  tho  bank  of  the  river, 
that  can  bo  descended  in  its  natural  state,  and  none  but 
with  some  diiBculty.     At  the  point  of  tho  Whirlpool 
thoro  is  one  of  tho  places  where  the  descent  is  natural. 
Hero  immemorially,  (before  visit*"  i  by  civilized  mun)the 
aborigines  passed  and  repassed  to  tho  river.     To  n  stran- 
ger tho  appearance  of  the  descent  is  so  hazardous,  that  the 
first  impulse  is  to  turn  trembling  away  ;  and  many  who 
would  like  to  go  down,  retreat  and  leave  the  place,  not 
daring  to  venture  themselves  in  a  situation  so  perilous. 
The  first  twenty  or  thirty  feet  is  tho  worst,  after  that  it  is 
not  so  difficult,  and  is  without  danger.     Both  Ladies  and 
Gentlemen  ore  in  tho  daily  practice  of  passing  down. — 
Considerable  improvement  is  promised  by  the  person  iii 
occupation  ;  and  to  make  tho  descent  easy  and  oonven 


(J 


THE  WHIRLPOOL. 


Basin  of  the  Whirlpool. 


ient  is  necessary,  os  this  has  now  become  a  place  of  great, 
resort,  and  next  only  in  importance  to  the  Falls. 


THE  BASIN  OF  THE  WHIRLPOOL. 
"  Strange  myst'ries  bide  beneath  the  waves,  anil  ntan. 
Hath  yet  to  know  a  thousand  tilings  that  nature  hides/' 

At  the  south  the  Jver  enters,  bounding  from  above  ; 
its  course  is  continued  directly  forward  ;  passing  the 
centre  of  the  basin,  and  striking  against  the  rocky  shore 
of  Canada.  There  driven  back  it  divides  ;  one  portion 
whirls  to  the  right  and  passes  down  the  outlet ;  the  oth- 
er turns  to  the  left,  coursing  its  way  again  up  the  stream, 
converting  one  half  of  the  river  into  an  eddy  almost  as 
powerful  as  the  main  current.  The  disfnce  of  the  curve 
or  indenture  is  nearly  half  a  mile  on  the  Canada  side 
on  the  American  shore  it  is  not  more  than  sixty  rods. 

The  water  is  in  great  commotion,  swelling  and  roar- 
ing ;  and  in  many  places  there  are  formed  great  whirl- 
pools round  which  the  timber  and  logs  that  are  observed 
cherein  are  carried  with  great  velocity.  They  are  often 
sucked  down  into  the  depths  of  the  vortices,  are  for"  some 
time  hid  from  sight,  and  are  again  at  some  distant  point 
thrown  to  the  surface.  Sometimes  they  are  ejected  near- 
ly their  whole  length  into  the  air— fall  back,  and  renew 
their  course  around. 

An  individual  speaking  of  the  Whirlpool,  writes  :  "  I 
thought  there  was  no  other  object  in  this  vicinity  worth 
looking  upon  after  beholding  the  great  Falls  of  Niagara  ; 
but  as  I  have  looked  at  the  Whirlpool  from  the  bank,  and 
below  it,  I  have  been  more  amazed  and  infatuated  with 
the  scene,  than  with  any  I  ever  heheld.  Below,  as  I 
have  wandered  along  the  rough  shore,  viewed  the  tor- 
rent as  it  shoots  from  the  imprisoned  circle,  heard  the 


THE  WHIRLPOOL. 


TJje  opinion  of  others. 


hollow  bellowing  of  the  dreadful  waves,  and  cast  my  ^yes 
over  their  wai  ring  surface,  all  other  objects  in  my  imagin- 
ation have  dwindled  into  mere  shadows.     Again  when  I 
have  ascended  the  high  bank,  and  walked  along  the  edgo 
looking  upon  the  wide  chasm  before  me,  the  rush  of  wa- 
ters as  they  urge  their  mountain  waves  along,  even  the 
great  Cataract  to  this  appeared  to  have  lost  its  magni- 
tude ;  and  though  my  mind  acknowlpjged  its  superior- 
ity, yet  it  seemed  less  mighty.     jSiill  strange  it   was,  1 
(lid  not  on  my  first  visit  drink  the  full  cup  of  p  'miration 
which  the  lofty  scenes  around  afforded.     It  was  by  little, 
Jind  little,  that  the  forms  and  perfections  of  the  whole 
prospect  grew  upon  me,  till  overwhelmed  my  eyes  be- 
came fixed,  and  my  faculties  chained  to  this  fear  impres- 
sing, yet  seductive  spot.     That  which  at  first  seemed  to 
require  but  a  few  moments  attention,  became  so  absorb, 
ing,  that  I  could  pass  and  repass,  and  gaze  on  it  for 
hours." 

Tho'  the  Whirlpool  has  long  been  a  place  of  notoriety, 
and  has  been  much  visited,  yet  until  of  late  no  printed 
accounts  have  appeared.  Joseph  W.  Ingrahim,  Esq.  in 
his  book,  among  other  things  on  the  same  subject,  says  : 
**  A  visit  to  the  Whirlpool  should  never  be  omitted.  It 
is  a  curious  and  interesting  phenomenon.  Watch  with  a 
spy  glass  some  of  the  great  logs  which  are  whirling 
round  in  the  never  ending  vortex  ;  and  you  will  be  aston- 
ished at  their  appearance  and  motions." 

Horatio  A.  Parsons,  Esq.  in  hik.  work  published  in 
1838,  says  of  the  Whirlpool:  "The  rapids  are  hero 
much  more  powerful  and  terrific  than  they  are  above  the 
Falls,  andappenr  like  a  flood  of  watery  brilliants  rushing 
along."  In  another  place  he  observes  :  **A  brisk  and 
refreshing  breeze  is  felt  there  during  the  hottest  and  still- 
est days  of  summer  ;  and  no  place  is  better  ^.tted  to  ele- 
vate and  expand  the  mind.     The  Whirlpool  is  a  phenom- 


r  tk 


8 


THE  WHIRLPOOL. 


View  It  with  a  spy  glnsa. 


enon  of  great  interest,  as  seen  even  from  the  top  of  the 
bank,  especially  if  a  small  telescope  be  used ;  but  to 
have  an  adequate  idea  of  its  powef  and  motion,  visiters 
ought  to  descend  to  the  water's  edge  and  walk  some  dis* 
tonce  up  the  river."    After  a  second  visit  he  remarks  : 

"And  now  having  spent  half  a  day  there  in  mute  as- 
tonishment, hu  is  at  a  loss  what  language  to  use  in  de- 
scribing  it.  He  can  think  of  no  language,  no  imagery, 
no  comparison,  that  will  not  fall  immeasurably  short  of 
conveying  a  just  idea  of  the  scene  He  can  only  say  so- 
berly and  earnestly,  that  no  gentleman  ought  hereafter  to 
acknowledge  that  he  has  seen  the  Falls  of  Niagara,  unless 
he  could  also  say  he  has  seen  the  "Whirlpool  from  the 
water' a  edge.  This  place  has  been  consecrated  by  some 
fabulous  tales  of  wonder  and  of  peril." 

The  rail  road  from  Lockport  to  Niagara  Falls  passes 
within  three  quarters  of  a  mile  of  the  Whirlpool,  and  the 
stage  road  from  Lewiston  within  half  a  mile. 

It  is  the  intention  of  Mr.  Hulett  the  occupant,  to  erect 
a  gate,  with  a  Refectory  adjoining,  on  the  Lewiston  road 
where  travellers  stop  to  visit  the  Whirlpool  ;  a  trifle 
will  be  charged  for  admission  to  the  grounds,  to  remu- 
nerate him  for  his  expenses.  The  excess  he  promises  to 
lay  out.  in  further  improvements,  for  the  accommodation 
of  the  public  around  this  place. 


i  -TiT'^'r^ ':"'■■" 


'':  -1   ' 


I  ! 


A    LEGEND 


,  it;v    i-, 


OF 


THE   WHIRLPOOL. 


PART  L 


*'Ih  vvakchohenry  hah  nakahneshtheanhabtbohy  ehean  hanc- 
teayouth  wench  healinahreawachereabheank." — Tuscarora'a  id- 
iom of  the  Iroquois. 

The  same  in  English  from  the  book  of  David  Cusic,  a  Tiiscn- 
rora  Indi  i,  published  in  1827. 

"  I  found  the  history  mixed  with  fables.  *   ''   ' 

I.  ^  _  ^ 

In  truth  thou  art  a  fearful  place, 

Who  shall  thy  depths  explore  ? 
Who'll  pass  upon  thy  fluctuant  waves, 

For  mines  of  golden  ore  ; 
From  far  above  impetuously, 

The  raging  waters  sweep,    '' ' 
They  come  in  their  sublimity, 

Descending,  leap  o'er  leap. 

II. 

In  wrath  and  foam  they  rush  along. 

Through  caverned  rocks  they  flow, 
And  high  towards  the  mirrored  skies, 

The  feathery  mist  they  throw. 
Their  noise  is  the  wild  tempest's  voice, 

When  whirlwinds  sweep  the  shore. 
And  far  abroad  the  sound  is  heard, 

Like  ocean's  hollow  roar. 


*  A  part  of  this  Legend  was  published  in  the  I'nitrd  Slater 
Magazine  of  October,  1839. 


11 


i  i 


10  LEGEND   OF    THE    WHIRLPOOL. 

III. 

Trembling,  tito  neighb'ring  hills  vibrate^ 

And  tho  impending  rockB, 
Shake  in  their  holds,  os  from  the  jors 

Of  far  off  earthquake  shocks. 
And  when  less  loud  Niagara's  Fall 

Its  distant  echoes  bound, 
Thon  wide,  the  thund'ring  roll  is  spread 

The  Whirlpool's  ceaseless  sound. 

IV. 

Through  earth's  domain  a  scene  more  grand^ 

Is  no  where  to  be  found. 
For  in  one  narrow  compass  rush. 

Waters  that  empire's  bound. 
A  thousand  lakes  and  rivers  deep, 

Unite  their  powerful  force. 
Concentrate  through  the  gorge  they  plunge, 

Their  headlong,  downward  course. 

V.  ■  ^      ■ 

Though  the  Maelstrom's  dread  abyse 

No  mariner  will  near  ; 
Though  Plegethon  roared  fierae  and  loud. 

Their  terrors  all  are  here. 
Not  mightier  is  the  Cataract,,  ^      '    i: 

With  rainbow,  mist  and  cloud, 
Whose  snowy  sheets  hang  in  the  air, 

And  massive  rocks  enshroud. 

To  him  that  views  this  wond'rcus  gulf, 

What  glowing  thoughts  will  spring  I 
Awe  struck,  the  reverential  heart 

Will  warm  devotion  bring. 
O'er  chasms  wide  the  frowning  rocks 

On  either  side  arise. 
Waves  here  advancing,  there  recoil^ 

Break  spangling  to  the  skies. 


;.i~. 


'.fi  A 


,<-.  if 


LEGEND    OF    THE    VVIUULroOL. 

.  1'    ,'  '.■.(■Ji i.ij  .V  ;';,;■:/'. 

VII. 

Imagination  o'er  the  view 

Casts  round  her  ardent  gnze^ 
For  far  beyond  romance's  scene, 

Nature  herself  displays. 
Who'll  venture  in  that  deluge  stream, 

Who'll  float  upon  the  wave  T   * 
There  is  no  one  with  reason  given 

Would  in  those  waters  lave. 

VIII. 

For  death  in  many  frightful  forms, 

His  victims  waits  to  win  ; 
And  all  his  dread  machin'ry  moves, 

Loud  in  the  furious  din. 
There  drive  and  strike  a  hundred  wrecks 

That  one  another  crush, 
Now  sucked  below,  now  bounding  up, 

Commingling  round  they  rush. 


11 


.670:  ■ 


IX. 


■•'\&m 


In  olden  days  that  long  have  fled. 

When  the  wild  forest  glen 
Was  yet  in  Nature's  rayst'ry  hid. 

And  sheltered  savage  men  ;     '  i  i 
Then  the  bold  Indian  armed  for  war 

With  battle  axe  and  bow,    .    ^  .^.■ 
Ranged  fearless  o'er  his  hunting  grounds, 

Or  watched  his  wily  foe. 

X.  ■'"■' 

The  Iroquois  of  allthe  tribes 

Extensive  conquest  sought,        ?,: 
And  many  a  bloody  battle  field 

Waa  with  the  Hurons  fought ; 
Between  them  raged  perpetual  war, 

In  desert,  wood,  and  plain, 
Nor  did  they  sheath  the  slaught' ring  knife 

Till  ev'ry  foe  was  slain,      w  ..  % 


i^p!JJ 


.i:. 


K^m 


it 


12  LEGEND   OF   THE    WHIRLPOOL. 

XI.  r 

When  o'er  the  earth  the  flowers  bloomed, 

And  all  the  trees  wore  green,    ^^\    .  .; 
And  brightly  shone  the  suminer's  sun. 

And  lit  the  smiling  scene  ;       ;  ^,,^  // 
The  merry  birds  melodiously 

With  music  filled  the  vales, 
And  the  wild  blossoms'  sweetness  came, 

Borne  on  the  scented  gales. 


XII. 

Around  the  gorgeous  landscape  lay, 

In  green,  and  sun,  and  shade  ; 
The  tenants  of  the  wood  repose 

Upon  the  mossy  glade.  ii 

'Twas  then  a  daring  Iroquois      <■ 

Strayed,  with  his  forest  love, 
Through  many  a  vale,  and  green  clad 

And  many  a  hidden  grove. 

xni  i. 

Their  way  was  near  Niagara's  flood 

Where  circling  eddies  run ,  : ),,  / , 
And  many  a  tale  he  told  of  war. 

Of  battles  he  had  Won  ; 
What  sleeping  foes  he  had  surprised, 

How  swift  had  flown  his  dart ; 
And  love  and  vengeance  itiingled. 

Were  to  win  the  maiden's  heart. 

XIV. 

Right  seemly  moved  the  savage  pair. 

As  on  their  course  they  went, 
Ar.d  still  upon  the  billowy  stream,  N 

Admiring  eyes  they  bent. 
They  saw  the  trees  of  distant  woods, 

Dismembered  torn  and  peel'd 
Ride  o'er  the  waves  in  ceaseless  war, 

And  ever  on  ihey  reel'd. 


..;,r 


\ ' 


copse, 


LEGEND   OF   THE    WHIRLPOOL. 

XV. 

And  there  the  gushing  torrent  springs, 

Away  with  deaf'ning  sound, 
And  ridged  waves  high  vaulting  rise, 

And  o'er  the  rocks  rebound. 
Convulsive  billows  towering  fled, 

Fast  on  their  wild  career, 
And  hollow  circles  widely  spread, 

And  opening  gulfs  appear. 

XVI. 

There  brilliant  dance  the  white  capped  waves, 

Their  pluniaged  crests  display  ; 
As  broken  diamonds  sparkling  shine, 

The  drops  of  snowy  spray. 
Beyond,  is  beauty's  mantle  spread  ; 

Here  grandeur's  scene  unfolds. 
There,  vast  sublimity  in  might. 

Her  court  in  glory  holds. 

xvn. 

Pleased  with  the  view  the  lovers  stood, 

No  thoughts  of  danger  rose, 
For  distant  then  th«  Hurons  dwelt ; 

Their  only  living  foes  ; 
But  then,  as  now,  though  safely  fenced. 

And  far  off'ev'ry  fear, 
Man  oft  reposing,  little  thinks 

What  strange  events  are  near. 

xvni. 

By  them  unseen,  by  foliage  hid, 

Sits  on  the  other  side. 
An  angler  who  with  demon  scorn, 

These  happy  ones  had  eyed. 
That  Huron  chief,  for  such  he  waa, 

Rose  slowly  from  the  brake, 
First  rent  the  air  with  his  shrill  cry, 

Then,  taunting,  thus  he  spake  : 


la 


ifl 


14  LEGEND   OF    THE   WHIRLPOOL. 

XIX.  , 

**  Base  dog  of  Iroquois  give  ear, 

Thou  mean  and  palt'ring  slave,    , 
I  dare  thee  mongrel  meet  me  there, 

On  yon  revolving  wave. 
When  Huron  meets  with  Iroquois, 

In  field,  or  flood,  or  fire, 
He  or  his  hated  foe  must  die, 

Or  feed  the  funeral  pyre. 

XX. 

Come  on,  thou  minion's  dotard,  come, 

Come  where  the  whirlpool's  rage— 
Or,  recreant,  bear  thyself  away. 

Nor  warrior  more  engage." 
**  Braggart  1"  the  Iroquois  replied  ; 

Well  can'st  thou  banter  here, 
If  thou  were  not  beyond  my  reach, 

Thou'd  die  with  very  fear. 

XXL  ,,..  ..  ,,,,  ),.  ^ 

Show,  boaster,  if  thou  even  dare. 

Thy  wary  feet  to  steep,        ?     i    , 
In  this  commingling  flood  of  foam, 

I'll  follow  on  the  deep  ; 
I'll  follow  thee  from  rock  to  rock. 

And  through  the  stormy  wave  ; 
And  in  some  low  and  loathsome  pit. 

Will  lay  thee  in  thy  grave." 

xxn. 

The  Chieftain  heard,  he  bounded  in. 

And  through  the  tossing  stream. 
Like  a  fierce  serpent  in  his  rage 

His  fiery  eye  balls  gleam. 
The  whirlpool's  fitful  voice  ascends— 

The  waters  bound  away—        ..„ 
And  fleecy  clouds  are  wafted  round, 

Formed  from  the  rising  spray  . 


(-.fi 


1.EGEND   OF   THE    WHIRLPOOL. 

-Win. 
**  I  come  !  I  come  I"  he  loudly  cried  ; 

"And  if  you  meet  me  not, 
I'll  seize  you  where  you  trembling  stand, 

And  rend  you  on  the  spot." 
Quick,  echo  bears  the  challenge  on, 

From  shore  to  shore  it  flies. 
And  through  the  airy  height  it  rings, 

And  in  the  distance  dies. 


15 


PART  II. 


Kaline  heanwahknyean  lieanyeannat  kaliakehah  hah  kah- 
netihwcah  hetho  hah  yohrakanethe  bane  hah  keanwahkneah 
liiiklia  w(. an.— Tuscaroraa,  gfC.  'a 

Who  will  secure  the  woman  from  the  terror  of  the  great  wa- 
ter.—Ucrtd  Ciutc, 


XXIV. 

The  Iroquois  cast  on  the  maid,  f 

Sadly,  a  farewell  smile,      :..,■, ;i 
Then  hurried  turned,  and  in  he  plunged. 

Where  th'  troubled  waters  boil ; 
And  she  upon  that  lonely  strand 

Amazed  and  shuddering  stood, 
A  witness  of  that  battle  scene. 

On  that  rebounding  flood.  . 

XXV. 

The  warriors  toiling  through  the  deep. 

Their  onward  progress  urge. 
And  nobly  dash  o'er  whitened  waves, 

Or  ride  the  rolling  surge — 
Now  a  strong  qurrent  sweeps  them  down, 

Then  on  the  rising  swell        a  ft.     ' 
They  buoyant  mount,  and  wave  their  hands. 

And  peel  the  Indian  yell. 


10  LEGKKD   OF    THE    WHlRLPOOt. 

XXVI. 

Again,  into  Romc  vortex  hurled, 

Powerless  they  whirl  nrounil 
Till  gathering  nil  their  strength j,     '  * 

They  spring  and  clear  the  deep  prufQund. 
Their  course  is  to  the  centre  bent, 

Where  the  curving  waters  run  ; 
And  face  to  face  and  eyes  to  eyes,. 

Their  way  is  onward,  on  I 

XXVII. 

And  when  unto  the  outward  cfisk. 

The  combattants  arrive, 
They  whooping  loud  with  furious  rage 

At  one  another  drive. 
They  miss  their  aim,  and  round  are  thrown. 

Round,  round  the  Whirlpool  goes  ; 
Yet  near,  and  nearer  they  approach,, 

And  fast  the  circles  close. 

XXVIII. 
They  spread  their  arms,  they  reach  their  handa^ 

Resistlessly  they  go. 
Till  grasping  in  the  vortex'  mouth, 

They  strug'ling  sink  below. 
Down  far  beneath  the  gurgling  waves. 

In  fierce  and  bloody  strife 
Foe  presses  foe,  and  hard  they  tug,.    '^  ^ 

For  vengeance  more  than  life. 

XXIX. 

To  noisome  vaults,  whose  horrid  sights^ 

No  living  eye  can  see — 
Where  monsters  dwell,  and  ever  hold 

Their  venomed  revelry ; 
Through  sunken  woods  that  bristle  up» 

And  broken  timbers  stand. 
Mangled,  their  bodies  press  aloug^ 

DiaabLed  and  uxmuin'd^ 


LEGEND   OP  THE    WHIRLPOOL. 

XXX. 

In  many  a  mazy  depth  thoy  wind, 

Till  'gainst  a  jutting  crag 
Their  bodies  strike,  their  holds  relax — 

Apart,  they  onward  drag. 
The  heaving  eddies  cast  them  up, 

Enfeebled  they  arise,  '  ' 

And  sunder'd  on  the  surface,  each. 

Almost  exhausted  lies. 

XXXI. 

Awhile  they  panting  rest  their  powers, 

Awhile  look  wildly  round  ; 
Then  on  each  other  rush  again. 

And  grasp,  and  tear,  and  wound. 
Their  gory  fingers  deeply  press. 

The  quiv' ring  flesh  they  rend, 
And  the  warm  crimsoned  flood  of  lifo 

With  the  cold  waters  blend. 

XXXII. 

The  Huron's  rage  without  control, 

Exerts  its  utmost  might ; 
His  enemy  reserves  his  powers, 

Yet  doubtful  is  the  fight. 
The  nymph  to  the  great  spirit  raised 

Her  fervent  prayer,  to  give. 
Nerve  to  the  arm  of  her  beloved 

To  conquer  and  to  live. 

XXXIII. 

On  the  vexed  waters  still  they  strive, 

And  still  around  are  driven, 
Sometimes  submerged  below  the  waves. 

And  sometimes  raised  towards  Heaven. 
And  as  the  sweeping  eddies  turn, 

And  as  the  torrent  flows. 
Amid  the  din  and  tempest  roar, 

Their  savage  yells  uprose. 


tt 


.1. 1 


lb  LROEXD   or    THE    WIIIBLPOOL. 

XXXIV. 

At  lcn<;tli  with  inoru  ihnn  hunmn  strcngtlv 

The  IIuiou'h  doadly  foe, 
Seized  on  his  throut  and  hold  him  down. 

To  Huirocaio  below. 
Hard  wus  ihu  struggle,  nncl  tho  waves 

Conicmlini,'  cluiiii  their  prey, 
And  o'or  tho  dying  Huron  dunce  ; 

Tlien  l)ear  his  corpse  away.      , 

XXXV. 

All  helpless' floats  tho  Iroquois, 

And  oft  around  is  roU'd. 
Till  on  u  Trail  and  broken  wreck,    .(  f. 

lie  faintly  makes  his  hold. 
No  power  had  ho  to  tempt  the  deep,    .  ;  i' 

Flis  wonted  strength  was  gone, 
And  ev'iy  passing  wave  that  rose,       '1/ 

Frowned  on  him  as  its  owik 

XXXVI. 

Life  wanders  through  hisshiv'ring  frume,r 

Just  ready  to  depart , 
it  trembles  on  his  quiv'ring  lips,       » 

And  flut'ring  boats  his  heart  ; 
But  'twas  not  his  its  parting  throbs,    >m  1 

To  wait  with  humbled  will,  r^'- 
And  die  in  ling' ring  agony,         .;*    / 1 .. 

As  death's  slow  drops  distil,    u 

XXXVII. 

The  Heav'ns  in  anger  frowned,    r -i/lj  v 

Thick  clouds  a  ehadowy  gloom  spread  o'er, 
And  gath'ring  films  obs<;ared  his  eyes,       .  , 

And  hid  the  dibtanl:  shore.      ...... . 

The  changing  watcis  suck  below,         hiJ^ 

While  some  upheaving  rcse, 
And  hideoiia  noiaes  whistle  round,         ■*' 

As  wiiea  the  storuj  wind  blow*, 


LEGEND   OF    THE    WHIRLPOOL. 

»» 

XXXVIII 

I 

Tho  forest  maid  away  hod  ilcd, 

And  up  tho  bank  had  hied — 

. 

Soon  sho  returns— n  light  canou 

Was  to  her  shoulders  tied. 

* 

'Tis  quickly  launched  upon  the  stream, 

That  deep  ond  trcach'rous  flow'd, 

And  swiftly  o'er  tho  crested  waves, 

Light  as  a  swan  it  rode. 

YVVIV 

Ye  Spirits  of  the  watery  caves, 

From  her  your  dangers  stay, 
Grant  licr  ttic  object  of  her  hopes. 

And  wafely  speed  her  way. 
Shenears  the  dnik  nndfainling  brave, 

And  'mid  the  Whirlpool's  roar 
Bhe  lifts  him  in  her  fragile  boat. 

And  turns  her  course  to  shore. 

XL. 

Now  if  that  little  bark  shall  pass 

Yon  disk  of  lucent  green. 
The  course  is  safe  unto  the  land,      ' 

No  dangers  intervene.        ;  '       » 
But  once  more  down  it  sweeps  away, 

Still  further  on  it  wheels — 
The  raging  torrent  draws  it  in —    ■  ■  ' 

Away!  Awoy  !  it  reels.  .- 

XLL 
No  longer  lonely  is  the  shore. 

For  on  the  wood  crowned  height, 
A  numerous  band  of  Iroquois 

Are  ushered  to  the  sight. 
It  was  their  native  village  friends. 

That  lined  the  towering  steep, 
Who  saw  them  in  their  peril  drive, 

Careering  o'er  the  deep. 


t 


''    i. 


30  LEGEND   OF   THE   WHIRLPOOL. 

XTJI. 

liOud  shoutd  hurst  from  the  excited  band  ; 

Trophies  of  war  the^    -^ar — 
And  pennon-:;  formed  from  human  scalps, 

High  flutter  iii  the  air. 
With  eager  steps,  and  straining  eyes, 

They  line  the  rocky  cliff, 
And  sight,  and  thought,  are  centred  all, 

Upon  that  whirling  skiff.  ■ 

XLIIf. 
A  cry  !  from  oft  'he  water  comes. 

No  more  the  oar  is  plied  I 
But  all  erect  the  maiden  sits. 

Her  warrior  by  her  side. 
They  raise  their    yes  towards  the  sky. 

Then  on  the  fearful  surge — 
Fondly  embrace,  then  all  resigned, 

They  sing  the  funeral  f'irge. 

XLIV. 
The  bark  is  on  a  mountain  wave, 

A  moment  there  it  rides. 
Then  downward  shoots — the  scene  is  closed, 

The  wreck  the  wster  hidec. 
And  from  the  Indian  band  there  rose, 

Sad  sounds  of  sore  dismay  ; 
A  frightful  scream  of  woe  burst  forth. 

Then  turned  they  on  their  way. 

XLV. 

The  cauldron  deep  boils  from  beneath. 

The  foaming  surface  shaker  — 
A  mighty  billow  rolls  along—        '        :    *. 

In  misty  clouds  it  breaks  : 
Again  recoils  the  flowing  mass 

And  turns  its  whelming  force — 
Still  back  aiid  forward,  round  and  on. 

Such  is  its  destined  course. 


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LEGEND    OF    THE   WHIRLPOOL. 
■"  ■"•  '  ■    XLVL  .'^''•"•-  ^■■^• 

Fororer  shall  the  wnves  revolve, 

And  high  the  billows  Bwell  ; 
And  fancy  oft  amid  the  roa". 

Yet  hears  the  India  i  yell. 
There  lonely  jn  the  hurrying  stream, 

And  en  the  rising  hill, 
Are  yet  observed  the  forest's  sons, 

To  sit  and  linger  still. 


21 


d, 


NOTES. 


VI. 


Waves  here  advancing  there  recoil, 
Break  spangling  to  the  sliies. 

Below  the  bank  at  the  very  extremity  of  the  point  where 
♦he  water  turns  its  course  from  the  Whirlpool,  a  smooth 
rock  extends  out  into  the  stream  on  whicn  visiters  can 
walk  to  the  very  verge  of  the  deep  resistless*  torrent.— 
Here  is  again  presented  one  of  those  intensely  interestJing 
scenes  which  more  than  any  where  else  nature  presents, 
along  the  Niagara  river.  Above  and  before  the  spectator 
the  water  is  much  agitated  and  the  tops  of  the  waves 
are  wnite  w"\h  mist,  but  here,  wild  and  frantic,  the  rirer 
iushes  through  a  narrow  gorge  ;  the  waves  swell  high  and 
sweep  along  with  a  power  and  noise  that  is  perfectly  astoun- 
ding. The  river  is  here  narrower  and  deeper  ;  the  swells 
larger  and  the  velocity  greater  than  at  hv^y  other  point.. 


•22 


THE    WHIRLPOOL. 


The  OiitlPt — Historicnl  notiec  of  tlie  IroquoiH  uniillurons. 


:1- 


X. 

The  Iroquotg  of  all  the  tribes 

Extensive  conquests  sought, 
And  many  a  hloody  buttle  field, 

Wa3  with  the  Hurons  fought. 

It  is  a  matter  of  history  that  the  Iroquois,  or  Six  Nations 
so  well  known  as  a  most  powerful  confederacy  of  sav- 
age warriors,  carried  on  against  the  Hurons  almost  a  war 
of  annihilation.  There  are  yet  many  vestiges  remaining 
in  the  country  of  the  destructive  character  of  the  contests 
that  occurred  between  them.  At  Mount  Dorchester,  in 
Canada,  two  miles  from  the  Niagara  river,  are  the  remains 
of  an  ancient  Indian  fort  or  intrenchment,  and  within  its 
bounds  are  a  great  number  of  pits  filled  with  human  bones 
lying  promiscuously  over  each  other,  where  they  had  un- 
doubtedly been  thrown  after  some  bloody  engagement. — 
In  1G50  the  Iroquois  succeeded  in  conquering  from  the 
Hurons  the  whole  territory  between  the  St.  Lawrence  and 
Lake  Ontario  on  one  side  and  Lake  Huron  on  the  other, 
and  the  Huron  i  that  were  not  destroyed  were  entirely  ex- 
pelled from  the  country. 


H 


XIV. 

They  saw  the  trees  of  distant  woods 

Dismembered,  torn  and  peel'd. 
Ride  o'er  the  waves  in  ceaseless  war, 

And  ever  on  tiiey  reei'd. 

There  is  generally  in  the  Whirlnool  large  quantities  of 
logs,  timber,  trees  and  broken  wrecks  that  have  passed 
down  the  river.  The  same  i)ieces  sometimes  remain 
there  for  weeks  together,  still  continuing  to  wind  their 
course  around.  But  sometimes  i  t  is  entirely  clear  of  these 
wrecks  and  nothing  is  to  be  seen  but  the  convulsive  flood. 
When  the  water  is  at  its  usual  height  or  rather  lower, 
the  eddies  are  the  largest  and  the  circles  take  a  wider  com- 
pass and  the  prospect  is  presented  to  the  best  advantage. 


THE   WHIRLPOOL. 


23 


When  the  Whirlpool  ia  seen  to  best  ndvuntuffc 


It  is  still  more  imposing  ofter  a  storm  as  it  is  then  fhorc 
filled  with  trees  and  wrecks  that  have  found  their  way 
over  the  Falls. 

XVIIL 

An  angler  who  with  demon  scorn 
These  happy  ones  had  eyed. 

The  Whirlpool  and  Devil's  Hole  one  mile  further  down 
the  river  are  the  best  fishing  places  with  hook  and  line 
on  the  Niagara. 

XIX. 

When  Huron  meets  with  Iroquois, 

In  Held,  or  flood  or  fire, 
He  or  his  haled  foe  must  die 

Or  feed  the  funeral  pyre. 

To  most  persons  the  meeting  in  field  or  flood  will  not 
appear  strange,  for  bloody  battles  occur  on  the  water  as 
well  as  on  land,  but  to  meet  for  combat  in  the  fire  seems 
to  be  an  unwarrantable  exaggeration.  If  we  reflect  a  mo- 
ment it  does  not  appear  so,  and  that  many  contests  and 
blooody  engagements  have  taken  place  between  savages 
in  burning  woods  and  prairies  is  not  to  be  doubted,  as 
such  fires  in  a  wild  and  forest  country  are  of  ordinary  and 
frequent  occurrence. 


XXII. 

•'l  '  Chieftain  heard,  he  bounded  in. 

That  if  ail  c  :currence  like  the  one  narrated  in  this  le- 
gend ever  took  place,  it  may  be  imagined  that  the  Iro- 
quois and  his  companion  were  at,  or  near  the  smooth 
rock  where  the  river  angles  ofl^,  and  the  Huron  at  the 
fishing  ground  nearly  opposite.  Here  a  stone  has  beon 
thrown  across,  and  altho'  the  noise  is  great,  yet  it  is  sup- 
posed 'hat  persons  on  some  occasions  could  make  them- 
solve<^  i.iderstood  from  one  side  to  the  other.     Even  at 


: 


« 


24 


THE   WHIRLPOOL. 


Navigation  of  the  Wlilrlpool. 


the  Falls  of  Niagara,  where  the  uproar  is  still  greater  and 
the  rircr  much  wider  persons  have  called  across  and  hare- 
made  themselves  distinctly  under8too<I. 


I 

■  i 

i 
5 


XXXVIIL 
A  light  canoe  was  to  her  shoulders  tied. 

The  Canoes  of  the  Indians  are  often  so  light  that  one 
person  can  carry  them  ;  and  it  has  ever  been  customary 
for  them  to  carry  them  from  one  lake  or  water  course  to 
another.  There  is  nothing  improbable  in  their  having 
on  the  bank  one  of  their  light  canoes  which  a  woman 
could  oind  over  Vr  shoulders  and  carry  to  the  water. 


I! 


H 


4   f 


xxxvin. 

'Tis  quickly  launched  upon  the  stream 

That  deep  and  treach'rous  flowed, 
And  swiftly  o'er  the  crested  waves, 

Light  as  a  swan  it  rode. 

The  suggestion  has  been  made  that  a  life  boat  might 
be  safely  navigated  over  the  Whirlpool.  It  is  not  un- 
worthy of  attention.  The  exploration  of  the  upper  sur- 
face would  give  much  satisfaction  to  skillful  boat-men, 
and  safely  to  perform  the  gyrations  of  the  whirling  wa- 
ters would  be  a  pleasant  adventure.  The  tact  too  of  man- 
aging a  boat  in  such  a  place  would  entitle  the  boatmen  to 
much  applause.  By  some  it  is  thought  th^t  by  means  of 
a  life  boat,  a  visit  to  the  Whirlpool  and  round  the  eddies 
would  be  merely  a  ride  of  pleasure,  and  that  even  a  regu- 
lar ferry  might  be  kept  up  to  the  Canada  side. 


<  t 
■  I 


